How to Light Your Kamado Quickly and Safely!

A great barbecue starts with a good fire. Whether you are a true enthusiast or just starting out, a BBQ starter is essential for a smooth start. But which barbecue lighter is best to use? And how do you ensure that your charcoal or briquettes glow quickly and evenly? We’ll explain everything you need to know about lighting your Kamado quickly and safely so you can enjoy perfectly grilled meat, fish, or vegetables in no time.

Why a BBQ Starter is essential

If you’ve ever tried to light your Kamado with loose firelighters and a match, you know how frustrating this can be. The briquettes don’t burn evenly, it takes a long time, and the temperature is hard to control. A barbecue starter makes this process much easier.

A good BBQ starter is designed to ignite your coals quickly and efficiently. Thanks to ventilation holes, the heat is optimally distributed, allowing your charcoal or briquettes to become red-hot in just 10 minutes. This means less waiting time and more time for grilling.

Which BBQ lighter should you use? 

There are different types of BBQ lighters available, each with its own benefits:

• Electric barbecue lighter: With an electric lighter, you ignite your Kamado without the hassle of chemical firelighters. You simply ignite your charcoal with heat instead of flames. This is a clean and safe method, ideal for those who want to get started quickly.
• Charcoal starter: This is a metal cylinder in which you place your briquettes or charcoal. With a firelighter underneath and sufficient air circulation, your coals will glow rapidly.
• Gas burner: Want fire even faster? A gas burner is a great solution. Within minutes, your coals are ready for use. Just be sure to work safely and not direct the burner at the same spot for too long.

No matter which barbecue starter you choose, make sure it is made of sturdy metal such as stainless steel or steel. This ensures that your starter lasts long and withstands high heat.

How to use a BBQ starter?

A BBQ starter is easy to use and allows you to start grilling quickly and effortlessly. Follow these steps for a safe and quick start:

1. Fill the starter with the desired amount of charcoal or briquettes.
2. Place a firelighter on the grate of your Kamado and light it.
3. Place the BBQ starter on top so the flames reach the coals.
4. Wait about 10 minutes until the top layer of coals turns white-hot.
5. Carefully pour the coals into the barbecue.
6. Place the grill grate and you’re ready to grill!

With this method, your Kamado is lit quickly and safely, without the hassle of slow-burning firelighters.

The Binchopan

If you plan to light your Kamado using Binchotan charcoal or Hexagon briquettes, the best BBQ starter to use is a Yakiniku Binchopan, as it is specifically designed for these fuel types. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a Binchopan efficiently:

1. Fill the Binchopan with Binchotan charcoal, Hexagon briquettes, or another type of charcoal/briquettes and place the pieces upright in the center section.
2. Place the bottom part with the logo facing down on a fireproof surface.
3. Put firelighters or another type of fire starter on the bottom and place the center section on top.
4. After 15-30 minutes, the Binchotan will be glowing, and you can fill your grill. Warning: Always use tongs or heat-resistant gloves when handling hot charcoal.
5. To extinguish the Binchotan after use, place the bottom of the pan with the logo facing up on a fireproof surface. Then put the center section on top.
6. Fill the center section with the glowing Binchotan and close off the oxygen with the lid.

Using the Binchopan as a snuffer allows you to reuse your charcoal for the next grilling session, making it more sustainable and reducing CO₂ emissions. Note that the handle of the Binchopan gets hot during use. You can use it to light both your Shichirin and Kamado.

Which Kamado accessoires can you use?

• Heat-resitant gloves: Essential for safely handling the BBQ starter.
• Heat shield: Useful for protecting your food and hands from direct heat.
• Smoking wood: Adds extra flavor to your dishes. You can add it to your Kamado using a Woodchipper without losing much heat. You can also place it in a Smokerbox. Always store smoking wood in a dry place to prevent moisture and poor smoking performance. Wood planks or Wood wraps can also be used to enhance the flavor of meat, fish, and vegetables.
• Grill grate: It is important to use a high-quality, heat-resistant grill grate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do BBQ lighters work?

A BBQ lighter ensures that charcoal or briquettes ignite quickly and efficiently. Depending on the type, it uses heat (such as an electric lighter or gas burner) or controlled air circulation (such as a charcoal starter) to get the coals glowing.

Why is my BBQ starter smoking so much?

Excessive smoke from your BBQ starter may be due to damp briquettes or charcoal. Always use dry coals and avoid flammable liquids. Firelighters can also sometimes produce excessive smoke.

How long before should you light the Kamado?

This depends on the method. With a charcoal starter, your coals are usually ready within 10 minutes. If using an electric BBQ lighter or a Binchopan, it may take slightly longer. Start grilling only when the coals are fully grey.